“Forget it, Jake—it’s Chinatown.” This piece of advice is as famous as it is useless: Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) will never be able to forget what he’s seen. Chinatown (1974) is also impossible to forget: whether it’s the perfect nod to noir or the best noir of all time, it’s endlessly fascinating, compelling, and disturbing. Join us for an improvised conv ... Show More
Apr 25
Jes Battis, "It's Only Forever: Labyrinth" (ECW Press, 2026)
Jes Battis' new book, It's Only Forever. Labyrinth (ECW Press, 2026) is a wild, intimate, and political deep dive into Jim Henson’s 1986 classic starring David Bowie and its cast of lovable, gender-defying goblins. In the 40 years since Labyrinth’s release, Jim Henson’s cult clas ... Show More
46m 8s
Apr 25
Michael Lee Nirenberg, "Cinematic Immunity" (Feral House, 2026)
The unbelievable insider stories of how they “got the shot,” Cinematic Immunity tells the story of New York City's movie industry from the crew members who created the sets, lit the scenes, and shot the film. Focused on the golden age (1950-1990) of New York filmmaking, Cinematic ... Show More
1h 1m
Apr 23
Laura Horak, "Trans Cinema: Making Communities, Identities, and Worlds" (U California Press, 2026)
Since the 1990s, a largely underground upwelling of trans creativity has helped new trans identities, communities, and political movements come together. In Trans Cinema: Making Communities, Identities, and Worlds (University of California Press, 2026), Dr. Laura Horak provides a ... Show More
36m 6s
Jul 2025
#598 - Shana L. Redmond and Michael Gillespie on Body & Soul and Us
This week we’re excited to present a conversation between film scholars Shana L. Redmond, Director of the Center for the Study of Social Difference at Columbia University, and Michael Gillespie, Associate Professor in NYU’s Department of Cinema Studies, as they discuss a double f ... Show More
40m 35s
Oct 2024
Why I Stopped Music For Filmmaking - Michael J Epstein
Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/AGXF9gco6fg?si=VQKjAU7kC8HNivCP
Michael J. Epstein is a filmmaker, writer, musician, and scientist. With his production company, Launch Over, he has made theme-driven genre shorts and features that have pla ... Show More
1h 52m
Jan 2024
‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Turns Blacklist Script ‘I.S.S.’ Into Sci-Fi Thriller Theatrical Release
Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes t ... Show More
45m 15s
Nov 2021
Dune DP Greig Fraser and Editor Joe Walker Break Down Crafting a Cinematic Epic
Get ready for tons of insight on this massive film!
In this episode, we talk about...
How the team conquered the challenge of presenting such a dense, beloved, and influential book on the screen.
How the team tried to keep elements of the book that may not be the most cinemati ... Show More
1h 18m
May 2025
What We Lose If We Don’t Preserve Film
In this episode, GG Hawkins of No Film School sits down with Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the British Film Institute (BFI), for a powerful conversation on the cultural and creative necessity of film preservation. As the BFI celebrates the 90th anniversary of its National Archi ... Show More
34m 57s
Dec 2022
The Greatest Actors Of All Time: An Empire Podcast Discussion Special
The new issue of Empire magazine is on sale right now, folks, in all good, evil, and virtual newsagents, and it's a belter. This month's issue is dedicated to a celebration of the greatest actors of all time, as voted for by you, the readers of Empire. It's got everything, from e ... Show More
42m 37s